Upper Bonito Dispersed Recreation Area

Absolutely beautiful place to camp! We were basically the only ones there but there were plenty of wonderful places to set up camp. Secluded but we’ll maintained. Highly recommended. Thanks to Mrs Claudia from the Smokey Bear Ranger Distric office for her assistance and directions to get us there.

I seriously cannot believe I didn’t have to pay to camp here. The area is beautiful, there were tons of spots and a bathroom!

Amazing place! Went for the first time not knowing what to expect and it was truly amazing. Restrooms were very clean, the nearby creek is beautiful and it was so relaxing. Will be going again.

Nice drive around a lake to get there. Free to camp with pit toilets (BYOTP), a few horse corrals, lots of trails around. Don’t be deterred by the private property signs, Google maps takes you straight through it.
There are crab apple trees somewhere between the lake and the camp site.

Amazing free campground. Great trails right by.

Always an awesome place to camp. We have been coming here for over 25 years.

Great place to go camping. The only downside is no restrooms. Been going there for the last 5 years. Will be back soon!

As of 4.2.2019 Lake Bonita is undergoing construction. They have drained the lake and are dredging it to hold more water. With that said just keep on driving past it until you get to this FANTASTIC camp spot.

Every campsite is primitive however, there are several toilets in the area that are open. Bonito creek was running last time I stayed here and makes for a fantastic white noise maker at night.

There is a ton of wildlife in the area, on my last trip we saw wild turkeys, elk, and deer. Never had any problems with bear even though we spotted some tracks a couple of miles down one of the trails.

Tons of hiking trails in the area. I'd highly recommend the Turkey Creek Canyon trail. Be sure to look for the 'old' mines.

Beautiful camping area, tons of great flat camping spots all very spread out with plenty of privacy, there are also convenient outhouses and a creek close by best dispersed spot around. Highly suggest arriving early for visibility reasons. There are 2 roads that meet at a loop with camping all along both roads one runs closer to the creek the other above.

One of my favorite places to camp with my family. We have gone for the past 2 years but won't get to go this year due to Covid. Sure do miss this place. Clean, quiet, beautiful, and zero cell service. We love it here!

Very good camping place. I went in December, so also quite cold. Lots of neat wildlife too. Heard hawks, an owl, and even an eagle somewhere over the ridge.

Tucked between beautiful mountains with tons of horse and hiking trails. Stunning views from atop the mountains! Aim for the top, you'll be glad you did...

10 $ camping site, absolutely beautiful. BONITO lake still closed.

Always love driving thru and hiking the forest!

Beautiful place, and lots of great horse trails!

I absolutely love this place, it's our go to for camping season 😊😊😊😊

LOVE IT....A REALLY BEAUTIFUL PLACE FOR CAMPING

Great area to camp and hike.

Beautiful place, nice and quiet!

Gorgeous